Understanding a movement of literature is often aided by understanding the times in which it was written: the psychology of people, politics, cultural trends, etc. This is especially true of fin de siècle literature which was most definitely a product of its time. The Milwaukee Art Museum currently has this Jules Chéret exhibition on display, and I was able to see it during a recent trip to the city. Chéret was a leader and innovator of poster art and printing in Paris during the fin de siècle and early 20th Century. In providing context for Chéret’s work and its impact, the exhibition crystallizes several insights into the gestalt of the period. For example, new processes had cut printing costs way down which allowed for mass production of posters for use in advertising. In short order, posters were used to promote shows, products, and retailers. Each poster was quickly out of date and disposable. The effect of this is illustrated by a painting shown in the exhibition. It depicts a me...